Refrigerating apparatus



Oct. 25, 1932. H- SLQAN v 1,884,312

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS I I Filed July 30, 1931 INVENTo ATTORNEYS.

able gases in refrigerating systems,

Patented Oa. 25; 1932 UNITED STATES 'PATENT ori-ICE HARRY BLOAN, OIF POINT, WISCONSIN, SSIGNOB T0 THE VILTEB IANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION Ol WISCONSIN nararenaa'rme Arrm'rus Application filed. July 1$0, 1931. Serial No. 558,978.

The present invention relates in general to improvements in the art of separating noncondensable gases from condensable vapors, and relates more specifically to an improved method of, and apparatus for purging refrigerating systems or the like for the removal` of air andother objectionable gases.

An object of the invention is Ato provide improved purging apparatus which is `simple and compact in construction and which is moreover highly eilicient in operation.

The presence of air'and other non-condens- 1s extremely objectionable since it increases the, condenser pressure in proportion to the partial pressures of the non-condensable air and other gases. Such increase in condenser pressure results 1n increased power requirements for actuating the compressor, and the presence of non-condensable gases such as air also undesirably reduces the surface available for condensing ythe refrigerant. The exists ence of such non-condensable gases inthe system therefore materially reduces the elliciencythereof, and hence makes their elimination extremely desirable.

The non-condensable gas ordnaril pres ent ingreatest quantities, is air whic is introduced into the refrigerating system when making repairs, and also through leaky joints and stulling boxes when a vacuous condition is established within the system. Air is considerably heavier than ammonia vapor and the like, and will therefore accumulate in the condenser and in the liquid ammonia receiver, above the level of the liquid refrigerant. Whileit has heretofore been customary to removesuch non-.condensable gases from cooling -systems by means of so-called gas/separators, these prior devices are quite complicated and correspondingly high priced, and they are moreover apt to become out of order unless given proper attention at frequent intervals.

It is also customary in many refrigerating installations, to provide a small liquid 'ammonia line for injecting liquid into the suction line of the pump close to the compressor cylinder. Such a kliquid conducting line is used when operating at lowsuction pressures under which conditions the compressor operates upon highly heated gases. The same condition also exists if the return gas to the compressor is highly superheated, whereupon liquid is injected into the cylinder in order to obtain safer operating temperatures.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide an effective pur e device especially-adapted for use in re rigerating systems, 'which may be" manufactured and installed at minimumi cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gas separator which will effectively separate non-condensable gases from condensable vapors such as refrigerant, and which will also effect subsequent delivery of the former from theiseparatmg chamber.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an impr ved purge drum, which when once installed is not subject to disorder and therefore will require minimum attention.

j A further specific object of the invention is to provide a combined purging appliance and return pipe communicating with the suction line of the compressor, so that the purging device and the return line may be used either independently or otherwise, as desired.

These and other objects and advanta es will be apparent from the following deta' ed description.

A clear conception of one embodimentfof the invention and of the mode of constructing and of operating urge apparatus built in accordance therewith, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and formin a part of this specification in which like re erence characters designate the same or similar parts in the several views:

Fig. 1 is a dia ammatic disclosure of a typical refrigeratmg system having one form of the improved purge `apparatus applied therein; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the receiver and purge tank of the system. e

The typical refrigerating system shown in Fig. 1 comprises in general, a compressor 5 having suction and discharge lines 6, 7 respectively; an evaporator 8 communicating Ril with the suction line 6 of the compressor; a

-condenser 9 communicating with the vdischarge line 7 of the compressor; and a liquid refrigerant receiver 10 communicating with the evaporator 8 and with the condenser 9 to complete the system.

The compressor may be either of the rey. ciprocating or of the rotary type, and the v and the lower part of this space communi- `a 2O surroundin cates with the upper portion of the receiver 10\tlirough a pipe 16. The receiver 10 normally has liquid refrigerant 17 in the lower ortion thereof, and a gas space 18 above the qciliid refrigerant.

he improved purge device\comprises an inner tubular casm 19 and anouter casing an spaced from the inner casing 19 to orm\.a jacket 21. The inner casingv 19 may be formed of a length of pipe having its extreme ends sealed, and the outer vcasing 20 may likewise be formed of a sometion thereof, with the glas -smalll holes 23, and t e upper portion of what shorter length of-pipe of larger diameter. The outer and inner casings may be interconnected by weldingor otherwise attaching tapered pieces 22 to the opposite ends of the casin Y20 and to the adjacent outer portionsof t e casing 19. The jacket 21 is in open communication at the lower end poi'- space 18, through the opposite end of the jac et is communicable with the outside atmosphere throu h a pipe 24 and a flow control valve 25. e purge unit is suspended within the receiver space 18, bg means of pipes 26, 27 communieating wit the opposite ends of the inner casing 19. The pipe 26 has a control valve 28 therein, and communicates directly with the pipe 13 `which leads to the evaporator. The pipe 27 has a control valve 29 therein and communicates directly with the compressor inlet ipe 6. This piping arrangement is obvious y such, that by manipulating the valves 28, 29, liquid refrigerant may be admitted in any desired quantities, from the recleiver 10 lto the compressol; sictziien line `6,- t ro t e inner casing o pur r.

l.Diiuigililig normal operation of the refrigegting system, the compressor 5'is functioning to withdraw liquid refrigerant 17 from the receiver 10 into the evaporator 8, and to remove the gaseous refrilerant generated in the evaporator through e suction line 6, the

vceiver throulei control valves 11, 14 being adjusted to meet the requirements. The compressed gases are delivered past the valve 12 and through the discharge line 7 to the condenser 9 and the combined condensed refrigerant and non-condensable gases are eventually discharged from the condenser and delivered to the receiver 10 through the ipe 16. The non-condensable vapors accumu ate in the receiver space 18, while the liquid refrigerant 17 accumulates below this space and is subse uently again passedthrough the heat trans er cycle.

The urging device operates as follows The valves 25, 28, 29 are opened thereb permitting a small quantity of liquid re rigerant to enter the inner casing 19 through the pipe 26. The refrigerant thus admitted, absorbs heat from the jacket 21 and is vaporized, the resultant vapor being removed through the pi e 27 by the compressor 5. The non-condensab e gases and vapors whichaccumulate in the receiver space 18 are free to enter the jacket 21 through the openings 23, and pass lengthwise of the jacket toward the outlet pipe 24. lAny condensable gases entering the jacket 21 are quickly condensed bythe evaporation of liquid refrigerant within the inner casing 19, and the liquid resulting from this condensation returns to the rethe openings 23. The purge device may o rated either intermittently or continuous y, and by closing the valve 25 and merely opening the valves 28, 29, liquid refrigerant may be injected directly into the compressor suction line 6 close to the compression cylinder when o rating at low suction ressures or when t e return gases are hi` y su rheated.

rom t e foregoing description, it will be apparent that thev resent invention provides an extremely simp e and compact purging device, which has proven highly ecient in actual commercie o ration. The purger may moreover be uti 'zed as a liquid injec- 'tion line for the compressor for the pur ose of enhancin the eciency of operation o the s stem, an the use of thc improvement is o viousl not restricted to refrigerating systems. e casin of the purger, may be readily formed o standardpipe, and has no complicated arts which require periodic attention inor er to maintain the same in effective o rating condition.

It ould beunderstood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact details of construction and to the precise mode of operation herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

Itis claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A purger comprising, an elongated horiet embracing said inner casing intermediate the ends of the latter, said outer casing having an opening at one end for admitting mixed gases to the lower portion of one end of said jacket, means for admitting refrigerant to an end of said inner casing beyond the adjacent end of said outer casing to cool said jacket and thereby condense some of the admitted gases, and means for effecting removal of the non-condensible gases from an upper portion of the opposite end of said j ac ret.,

2. A purger comprising, an elongated borizontal inner casing, an outer tubular casing surrounding said inner casingto form a jacket l embracing said inner casing intermediate the endso tzlaie latter, said outer casing having an opening at one end for admitting mixed gases to the lower portion of one end of said jacket, means for admitting refrigerant to an end of said inner casing beyond the adjacent end of said outer chasing to cool said jacket and thereby condense some of the admitted gases, an outlet communicating with said inner casing beyond the opposite end of said outer casing, and means for effecting removal of the noncondensible gases from an upper portion of the opposite end of said jacket.

3. A purger comprising, an elongated horizontal cylindrical inner casing, an outer cylindrical casing surrounding said inner casing to form an annular jacket embracing said inner casing intermediate the ends of the latter, said.

4outer casing having a plurality of openings at one end for admitting mixed gases to the lower ortion of one end of said jacket, means or admitting refrigerant to an end of said inner casing beyond the adjacent end of said outer casing to coolsaid jacket and there- 40 by condense some of the admitted gases, an outlet communicating with said inner casing beyond the opposite end of said outer casing, and means for effecting removal of the noncondensible gases from an upper portion of 45 the opposite end of said jacket.

In testimony whereof, I aix my signature.

HARRY SLOAN. 

